Kevin Sumlin arrived in Aggieland fresh off a spectacular run at the University of Houston and he delivered early. But four straight seasons without nine wins led to his firing Sunday as announced by Aggies athletics director Scott Woodward.
Led by quarterback Johnny Manziel, Sumlin’s first Aggies team finished 11-2 in 2012 and also earned a top 5 ranking. Since then, the Sumlin era was up and down despite recruiting classes that ranked among the best in the nation.
Although a winner in over 50 of his games as Aggies head coach, it wasn't good enough. He finishes with a career mark of 51-26 in his six seasons in College Station, including four consecutive five-loss seasons to close out his tenure.
A&M officials and alums saw their frustration grow the past three seasons when the Aggies started strong but faltered late in the season in the heart of the SEC race.
Woodward made it clear this past summer when he said Sumlin "has to win this year and do a better job than in the past."
Those comments didn't sit well with those inside the football program and this past week leading up to the game at LSU, reports leaked that the decision was already made win or lose in Baton Rouge. Texas A&M put up a fight in Baton Rouge on Saturday night, but ultimately fell 45-21 and allowed 601 yards to LSU’s offense.
Sumlin has been a winner at every stop, his career coaching mark stands at 86-43 and he’s had only one losing season in his 10 years as a head coach at Houston and Texas A&M. Now that he’s on the market schools will be calling, his name has been linked to the opening at Arizona State as it was several years ago, when he took the A&M job.
For the Aggies, it will be time to find a coach that can take this program to a new level and become one that can compete annually for an SEC championship. Current college head coaches who are believed to be potential targets to replace Sumlin include Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher and SMU’s Chad Morris.
Sources with knowledge of Texas A&M search process have told KPRC Channel 2 that Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher will be the next coach at Texas A&M.
Fisher will coach one final game at FSU, but not their bowl game should they become eligible with a win Saturday against Louisiana-Monroe. Sources indicate his new Texas A&M contract will be at least 5 years at $7.5 million per year.
Official statement from Texas A&M:
Texas A&M University Director of Athletics Scott Woodward has relieved Head Football Coach Kevin Sumlin of all duties effective immediately. Assistant Coach Jeff Banks will serve as interim head coach.
Kevin's tenure included some remarkable achievements and he leaves our program as one of the winningest football coaches in our storied history," said Woodward. "Kevin made us a better all-around football program and led our program with dignity and character. He's a first-class person.
Our expectations at A&M are very high. We believe that we should compete for SEC championships on an annual basis and, at times, national championships. I believe that we need a new coach to take us there. On behalf of Aggies everywhere, my thanks to Kevin and his family for his service to Texas A&M. I wish him the very best.
Sumlin coached six seasons at A&M, posting an overall record of 51 wins and 26 losses (.662 winning percentage), including a record of 25-23 (.521) in Southeastern Conference (SEC) games.
My job is to hire the person who is the right fit to lead our football program," Woodward said. "Obviously, our search will be quiet so the next time you'll hear from me is when I'm introducing the new head football coach."
Sumlin was named SEC Coach of the Year in 2012 when he led his first team at A&M to an 11-2 overall record, a victory over Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl, and a national ranking of fifth in the final Associated Press poll. Also at A&M, Sumlin coached 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel, one of only two players in A&M history to earn that coveted honor (joining John David Crow in 1957).
Hired by A&M in December of 2011, Sumlin came to College Station after four seasons as head coach at the University of Houston where he led the Cougars to a 35-17 overall record (.673). At Houston, Sumlin led the Cougars to two Conference USA West Division titles (2009 and 2011). He was named Conference USA Coach of the Year twice, in 2009 and 2011. Sumlin's career record in 10 seasons as a head coach is 86-43 (.667).
Texas A&M will honor the terms of Sumlin's contract.
